In a sold-out Jean Bouin ice rink, Nice (8th) hosted Marseille (7th) for a crucial southern derby in the race for the playoffs. A tense match that lived up to the expectations of supporters from both sides.
Right from the fifteenth second, the Spartans struck hard. A Nice defensive error during a change allowed Jan Dufek to find himself alone against the goalie and open the scoring. But the reaction of the Eagles was immediate. Two seconds after this goal, a Marseille penalty gave Nice a power play. They quickly took advantage, thanks to Daniels Berzins, who equalized in the sixtieth second.
The game remained tight and intense, with chances multiplying on both sides. In the fourth minute, another Marseille mistake cost the visitors five penalty minutes. The Niçois pressed, but without success. The two goalies shone, repelling each attempt brilliantly. End of the first period: (1-1).
Nice dominates, but Marseille equalizes
The second period saw Nice as the dominating team. They controlled the game and eventually took the lead in the fifth minute. Joona Tamminen, who joined this winter, scored a surprising goal: a slow shot from midfield that slipped between the legs of the Marseille goalie. The Eagles dominated but did not add to their score.
But, as often in hockey, dominating doesn’t mean winning. With one minute left in the period, the Spartans equalized. Teddy Da Costa took advantage of a moment of distraction from Nice to bring the teams back level. End of the second period: (2-2).
A frustrating final period for Nice
The third period was a disappointment for the Eagles. After dominating the match, they suffered a Marseille comeback. In the eleventh minute, a foolish mistake by a Nice player gave the Spartans a power play. They did not miss the opportunity. Fabien Colotti scored in less than a minute, giving the advantage to Marseille.
The Niçois tried to come back but lacked precision and success. The Marseille goalie remained impenetrable, and the Spartans held their victory until the end. Final score: (3-2) for Marseille.
This result was a great disappointment for Nice, which had the chance to catch up with their rival. Next crucial meeting for the Eagles: Friday in Amiens. A win will be necessary to hope to stay in the playoff race, as the direct competitors are closing in dangerously.
